›
There are only two Cavalry Divisions that fought in WWII, the 1st Cavalry
Division, and the 2nd Cavalry Division. ›
The only Cavalry unit associated with the number 24, in WWII, is the
24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.
›
The 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in WWII had no coat
of arms and was not authorized to wear any insignia.
›
The two patches shown above are pre-WWII National Guard patches.
The
Fourth Cavalry Group - WWII
Reputable
sources:
1939 National
Guard of the United States, State of Washington Yearbook - by Army and
Navy Publishing Company, pages 160-163. This yearbook gives a brief history
of the 24th Cavalry National Guard Division, not to be confused with
a U.S. Army Divison. Also in this yearbook are many photos of National Guardsmen
wearing the patches at the top of this page.
Cavalry Regiments
Of The U.S. Army - by James Sawicki, page 189.
Emblems of Honor
– by Kurt H. Keller, pages 153 – 154
Jim
Wojcieson - I have hundreds of 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron photos
of WWII Troopers in ETO. No one is wearing a National Guard patch. I challenge
anyone to prove me wrong. Show me the photo.
The Cavalry Journal
– magazine of the United States Cavalry Association – 1 MAR 99,
Volume XXIII, No.3, page 2
World
War II Order Of Battle - by Shelby Stanton, pages 23, 321
Yes,
there are books stating otherwise. One is a National Geographic publication.
These publications are simply mistaken. To reiterate, in WWII, the 24th Cavalry
Reconnaissance Squadron was not authorized a coat or arms or insignia, nor did
they wear a National Guard shoulder patch.
Insignia
Of The Fourth Cavalry Group
The
above coat of arms is the coat of arms for the 4th Cavalry Regiment. In WWII,
in ETO, the 4th Cavalry existed as the 4th Cavalry Group. The Group was made
up of the 4th and 24th Squadrons, mechanized.
Officially,
the Group was not authorized to wear a shoulder patch. However, Cavalry Troopers,
being the resourceful soldiers that they were, found a way to make a patch.
I have no photos of shoulder patches worn on field jackets, shirts, or coveralls
before V.E. Day. I do have photos of the above coat of arms on helmet liners
worn by the Troopers in POST WAR celebration gatherings. I do have photos of
Troopers wearing their Ike Jackets with their 4th Cavalry coat of arms on their
shoulders. I have my Dad’s Ike jacket with a German made, woven version
of the above insignia, see below.
Reputable
sources:
Cavalry
Regiments of the U.S. Army by James Sawicki, pages 157 - 159
Emblems of Honor
by Kurt H. Keller, pages 162 - 165
Jim
Wojcieson I have hundreds of 4th and 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
photos of WWII Troopers in ETO. No one is wearing a shoulder patch before V.E.
Day.
The Cavalry Journal
magazine of the United States Cavalry Association – 1 MAR 94, Volume
XVII, No.1, pages 2 - 6
World War II Order
Of Battle by Shelby Stanton, pages 308, 312, 320
Here
are the facts.
›
The original 24th Cavalry existed from 1916 to 1917, had no
coat of arms, and was not authorized to wear any insignia.
There seems to be much confusion
over the insignia and patches worn by the 4th Cavalry Group, the 4th Cavalry
Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, during
WWII. Here’s the bottom line.
What is wrong with these ads?
These are actual ads scanned from popular on line auctions. Both were in the
WWII category.
